Category: Australian News

The Australian Government acknowledges the announcement by the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service and the MH17 Joint Investigation Team that they will suspend their investigation into additional individuals responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine and its lack of cooperation with the investigation have rendered ongoing investigative efforts and the collection of evidence impossible at this time.

Australia has been steadfast in our enduring commitment to seeking truth, justice, and accountability for the victims of the downing of MH17.

Today’s announcement will be distressing for many. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones, and we acknowledge the distress they will be feeling with this announcement.

We note the recent convictions of three individuals found responsible for the downing of MH17 and murder of 298 people, 38 of whom called Australia home.

We commend the work and professionalism of the Joint Investigation Team officials, including the Australian Federal Police, who have conducted rigorous investigations to support bringing those responsible to justice.

The findings of the District Court of The Hague unequivocally and conclusively establish Russia’s responsibility for the downing of MH17.

Australia remains committed to pursuing our ongoing case with the Netherlands in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to hold Russia to account for its role in the downing of the civilian aircraft.

Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has said that today’s parliamentary endorsement of Behaviour Standards and Codes is a step forward in ensuring parliament is a safer, more respectful workplace that rejects discrimination. 

Senator Faruqi is a member of the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards, which developed the Behaviour Standards and Codes and reported in November 2022.

Senator Faruqi said:

“I’m optimistic that this is a turning point for making parliament a safer, more respectful workplace that rejects discrimination. 

“The codes will set an expectation of how we behave here. How this place changes for the better will depend on our commitment to changing culture. We must keep an eye on each other and call out unacceptable behaviour whenever and wherever it happens.

“The new codes explicitly prohibit discrimination on grounds that marginalise First Nations people, people of colour, disabled people and LGBTQI+ communities.  There is now recognition that this is unacceptable – and that perpetrators will face consequences for their actions.

“I urge the government to quickly set up the investigative and enforcement mechanisms to give the codes power to make the change so desperately needed and to hold us accountable.

“The mandatory training recommended by the parliamentary standards committee, including on anti-racism, disability discrimination and First Nations cultural awareness, is crucial for challenging entrenched privilege and power. This work should be prioritised as well.”

The Australian Government is working to provide a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Türkiye to support local authorities with search and rescue efforts.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has activated an AUSASSISTPLAN to deploy an Urban Search and Rescue team of up to 72 personnel to Türkiye to assist local authorities.

Our National Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA, is working closely with Fire and Rescue NSW, DFAT and the ADF to coordinate the deployment as soon as possible, with an aim to have boots on the ground by the end of the week.

These Urban Search and Rescue specialists are highly trained to locate, deliver medical assistance to, and remove victims who have been trapped or impacted by a structural collapse.

We wish to thank the personnel and their families in advance, for their willingness to support this important international effort with such short notice.

The Australian Government will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds and assess further needs and where Australia can best assist.

We extend Australia’s condolences to families and communities that have lost loved ones, and those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Nick McKim, has responded to today’s decision by the RBA to raise interest rates for the ninth consecutive time.

“The RBA is failing in its duty to ensure the economic prosperity and welfare of the people of Australia.”

“The RBA is willing to smash Australia into a recession in pursuit of policy that is only benefiting the already wealthy.

“The Treasurer needs to do two things.”

“Firstly, he needs to ask Philip Lowe for his resignation.”

“Secondly, he needs to use the powers he has to reverse today’s decision by the RBA.”

“Consumer sentiment is at the lowest level since the GFC.”

“The volume of retail sales is falling.”

“Meanwhile, the stock market is at a near record high.”

“The rich are getting richer while mortgage holders, renters, workers and small businesses are all copping it.”

“This blast of interest rate increases were never the right response to inflation driven by supply shocks and corporate profiteering.”

“But with the evidence pointing to inflation having already peaked, the RBA is now just being belligerent.”

“Section 11 of the Reserve Bank Act gives the government the ‘ultimate power to determine the policy of the bank’.”

“It’s time for the Treasurer to stop ducking for cover and start using his power to bring into line an RBA board that is running cover for corporate interests.”

“It’s also time for the Treasurer to introduce super-profits taxes to tackle corporate profiteering and provide immediate cost-of-living, such as free childcare, putting dental into Medicare, and introducing a freeze on rents.” 

The Greens say new data from the Productivity Commission shows that Australian governments have abandoned the Gonski reforms, with funding growth to the private sector outstripping increases to public schools by 10% over the past decade.

The latest Report on Government Services shows that total per student funding from federal, state and territory governments to the public school sector rose from $17,920 in 2012 to $20,964 in 2021, an increase of 17%. During that same span governments increased total funding to private schools by 27%, from $9,686 per student to $12,309.

Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“This report proves what a disastrous decision it was for Labor to postpone the next National School Reform Agreement by a year.

“There is currently no pathway to full public funding for the vast majority of public schools in Australia. The decades-long failure by both old parties to invest properly in our public schools is seeing educational outcomes continue to fall for our poorest and most remote students.

“Eleven years ago David Gonski said that there was growing inequality in the school system, identified funding inequality as the root cause, and provided a model to fix that.

“But instead of embracing the Gonski recommendations, successive governments have shied away from directing funding away from the private sector towards the schools that desperately need it. It’s gutless and morally indefensible.

“Our public schools need more money, and they need it now. We don’t need more working groups or more reports to tell us what every public school teacher, parent and carer already knows.

 “The Greens will continue to fight to ensure that all public schools receive at least 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard at the start of the next NSRA.”

Today, Senator Jordon Steele-John will move a motion in the Senate ordering the production of all documents related to Australia’s decision to join the US-led coalition which invaded Iraq twenty years ago. 

This order for the production of documents includes the following:

• The advice provided by the Department of Defence to the Prime Minister and Governor General concerning the decision to deploy the ADF to Iraq.
• The advice provided by the Attorney General to the Governor General and the Federal Executive Council in relation to the decision to deploy the ADF into Iraq 
• Correspondence between the Department of Defence and the United States Embassy about the Iraq invasion in March 2003

These documents will provide valuable insight into the Howard Government’s decision making which led Australia to join the US-led invasion of Iraq, a war that claimed over 600,000 lives and left millions displaced from their homes, according to some estimates. 

Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens spokesperson for Peace and Foreign Affairs said: 

“Twenty years on from the catastrophic invasion of Iraq and the circumstances that led us there are still vague and shrouded in secrecy.”

“Australians deserve to know who was making the decisions, what the basis for war was and whether any semblance of a legal process was even followed.”

“Hundreds of thousands have died, millions have been displaced and millions more have been left with lasting trauma. This was all based on a choice made in Australia’s name that lacks any accountability, form of transparency or oversight. ” 

“The decision-making process for sending the ADF to war requires major reform. I sincerely hope that the Labor government takes the opportunity to share with the community how such a devastating decision was made and what needs to change to ensure it never happens again.”

“These documents will provide valuable insight into what the Howard government knew, the time in which they knew it, and exactly what mechanism and authority they used to deploy Australian troops to Iraq, four of whom never came home”. 

The Australian Government will provide an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquakes that have struck Türkiye and Syria.

In Türkiye, Australia will provide $7 million in lifesaving assistance. $4 million of this will be provided through our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners for food and items such as tents and blankets to support those injured and evacuated. A further $3 million will be allocated as needs become clearer.

In Syria, Australia will provide $3 million through our longstanding partner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), for immediate needs including shelter, clean water and sanitation, with a focus on women and girls.

Australia’s assistance will target those in greatest need.

We extend Australia’s deepest sympathies to families and communities that have lost loved ones, and those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

A Pharmacist and Practice Manager from across Australia were sentenced last week after fraudulently claiming more than $470,000 in payments under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The below outcomes are a culmination of a strong collaboration between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).

Victoria – 2 February 2023 – Carson Au

Victorian pharmacy practitioner Carson Au was sentenced to two years imprisonment after having made 76 false PBS claims between 25 February 2018 and 20 September 2019.

Au received PBS payments in the amount of $110,461.68 to which he was not entitled.  

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment commencing on the 2 February 2023 and will serve eight months in custody before being released on a $5,000 Good Behaviour Bond of two years.

All monies owed by Mr Au have been repaid.

New South Wales – 3 February 2023 – Amanda Leigh Blackburn

Former practice manager Amanda Blackburn of St Clair was sentenced to a maximum of four years imprisonment with a minimum two years to be served by the Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to defrauding taxpayers of almost $315,000 by lodging false MBS claims.

Ms Blackburn was found to have made 3,915 false or misleading MBS claims for 6,897 services between 26 March 2014 and 1 February 2021 that were not actually provided to patients.

A Restitution Order was issued by the Court for $314,253.60

The Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of Medicare non-compliance very seriously and all tip-offs are reviewed.

Anyone with information about suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments by health providers can make a report via the “Reporting Fraud” page on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.gov.au/fraud-tip-offs  or by calling the Provider Benefits Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808.

Senator Lidia Thorpe has advised Greens Leader Adam Bandt of her decision to resign from the Australian Greens, but remain in the Senate. 

She leaves the Party Room a tremendously respected figure, who has undertaken critical campaigning work to progress a Treaty in Australia, raise the age of criminal responsibility, end the deportation of First Nations people and fight racism in the prison and child protection systems.

While she will no longer sit in the Greens Party Room, Mr Bandt said he hoped Senator Lidia Thorpe and the Greens will continue to work closely together on important issues given their strong policy alignment. Senator Thorpe has told Mr Bandt she intends to vote with the Greens on climate.

Mr Bandt had asked Senator Thorpe to remain in the Party Room, including as the Greens First Nations spokesperson. Mr Bandt had also confirmed with Senator Thorpe that under the Greens constitution she could choose to vote as she saw fit on the question of Voice, and that if she voted differently from her colleagues, she would retain her portfolios but not be the party’s spokesperson on the referendum and would be free to express her views. 

The Greens continue to hold the balance of power position in the Senate and will continue to be essential to the passage of government legislation and other Parliamentary actions that the Coalition opposes.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“Senator Thorpe has made a phenomenal contribution to the Greens and I’m truly sorry to see her leave our party room,” Mr Bandt said. 

“I’m sad to see her go, as I respect her greatly as a fighter for her people.

“I tried hard to get her to stay with the Greens as our First Nations spokesperson, but she has chosen another course to advance the Blak Sovereignty movement. 

“Senator Thorpe has drawn attention to human rights abuses at Don Dale, fought the deportation of First Nations people, fearlessly challenged the colonial relics of parliamentary process and fiercely pursued Treaty.

“The Greens will continue to work closely with Senator Thorpe on a range of issues and I thank her for committing to vote with the Greens on climate.”

Greens Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Senator Thorpe has been such a strong voice for First Nations people in the Parliament and our Party Room. I have a deep admiration for her unwavering commitment to Blak justice. I’m very sad to see her go,” Senator Faruqi said.

“We have worked together as allies against white supremacy and racism in all its forms, and I know we will continue this work along with climate justice and other vital progressive fights.”

The Greens have today introduced legislation in the Senate to compel the government to offer immediate evacuation to Australia to all remaining refugees and people seeking asylum still stranded offshore in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

“After ten long years of offshore detention it is abhorrent that about 150 people remain exiled in PNG and Nauru,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“The Bill has been designed specifically to fit within Labor’s policy settings, and avoid the toxic refugee politics of the past two decades.” 

“But most importantly, it offers a way forward for people seeking asylum who have suffered so much for so long.”

“When in Opposition, Labor was happy to support the Medevac amendment moved by the Greens. This Bill gives them the chance to work in the same spirit of cooperation to finish that task.”

“It was the ALP which sent every one of these people to Manus Island and Nauru in 2013, which means that Labor has a moral responsibility to end their exile.”

“Offshore detention has been a humanitarian calamity, and one of the darkest and bloodiest chapters in our country’s story. It is time we wrote the ending, and this Bill will help us to do that.

“The legislation does not require the government to settle people permanently in Australia, but to offer to support them in Australia until a durable third-country solution is secured.”

“This Bill represents a compassionate and practical solution to the ongoing crisis of offshore detention.”

“It provides a necessary step towards a durable solution for people who have been without one for nearly a decade. It will offer people a chance at safety in Australia with the support and medical attention they need while awaiting resettlement in a safe third country.”

“This is a critical step in ensuring that people who sought asylum in Australia and were treated so abhorrently finally get the dignity and respect they deserve, and the chance to rebuild their lives in safety and freedom.”

The legislation would require the Minister to:

• make an immediate offer of evacuation to all refugees and people seeking asylum still in PNG and Nauru (around 150 people), unless they have had an adverse security assessment made against them by ASIO;
• place all refugees and people seeking asylum who accept the offer in the Australian community, and not into held detention;
• make available to all people evacuated to Australia with any medical assessments and treatments they need;
• allow for all people evacuated to Australia under this legislation to remain in Australia until they are provided with a durable solution to their displacement with a third-country that is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or 1967 Refugee Protocol.